Why those weepy old films bring us closer together

WATCHING sad films brings viewers closer together, a study has found.

Our love of emotive dramas has evolved from group storytelling sessions that helped create tight bonds between a group or tribe, scientists suggested.

The Oxford University research also found our tolerance of pain increased while engrossed in a tear-jerking drama, due to the release of endorphins, powerful feel-good chemicals in the brain.

To examine the effects of fiction on our emotions, researchers compared viewers of a sad film with those who had watched a documentary.

They asked participants to lean against a wall with bent knees for as long as possible, before and after viewing.

Those who watched the sad film could hold the physically taxing position for more than 13 per cent longer than they could before seeing the film.

On average, those who watched the documentary could hold the position for nearly 5 per cent less time on the second attempt.

Questionnaires showed those who watched the sad film felt a stronger bond with fellow viewers than the group who saw the documentary.

Robin Dunbar, evolutionary psychology professor, said the results suggest our interest in emotive fiction may be because of its positive effect on social groups and endorphin levels.

He added: ‘It seems our affinity for emotive fiction may have evolved in the context of bonding social groups.

‘As we have also seen this endorphin effect in laughter, singing and dancing, it seems storytelling is part of a group of social activities that bring people together.

‘This is not to say that this one chemical effect alone is the only reason for dramatic fiction – there are other aspects of human psychology at work – but we believe that it is an important reason for our enjoyment of fiction.’